USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 26
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 26
USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 26
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Chauncey G. Austin, Jr., the junior member of the law firm, was born in Highgate, February 6, 1879. He graduated from Brig- ham Academy, Bakersfield, in the class of 1896 and from the law de- partment of the University of Wis- consin in the class of 1902. On the 18th day of March, 1902, he was admitted to the Harlan Chapter of the honorary legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi. He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1901 and the bar of Wisconsin in 1902.
Chauncey G. Austin, Jr., was married to Miss Olivia E. Simpson
of Chicago in 1904. The follow- ing September he was elected jus- tice of the peace of St. Albans.
KELTON, HON. OTIS N., son of Otis L. and Sarah L. (Newcomb) Kelton, was born at Montgomery, April 3, 1844. His grandfather, Lovell Kelton, was many years a citizen of Calais.
Otis L. Kelton was born in 1805, a typical mechanic of the period and for several years owned and conducted a gristmill at Lowell. He moved to Montgomery in 1831 and purchased a farm of 500 acres, where he resided until his death in 1890. He also owned a mill in that town. A devoted adherent of the Democratic party, he held many prominent offices in town. He was the father of 11 children by three marriages.
Otis N. Kelton was the eldest son by the last marriage, one of a fam- ily of nine children. He shared the labors of the farm and attended the district school and Brandon Academy, but even in boyhood be- came an interested student of poli- tics and a convert to the principles of the rising Republican party and the standard of "Fremont Free Speech and Free Men."
During his minority he was an officer in political organizations and later has been a delegate to many county and state conventions. In 1865 he entered Eastman's Busi- ness College and after completing his course, two years later, he was elected town treasurer of Montgom- ery and held that position continu- ously 30 years. He was also town clerk from 1879 to 1899. He read law in the office of J. S. Tupper of Montgomery, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and settled in his na- tive town, where his ability and ab- solute integrity secured deserved
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recognition, both in professional and public life. He was elected town representative in 1874 and 1876, and a senator in 1882. Elected state's attorney in 1892, he acceptably filled that position and secured a conviction in the noted
Chapter, R. A. M., of Enosburg, also of Lafayette Commandery of St. Albans, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Kelton married, in 1871, Hattie B., daughter of Joshua Clapp, a granddaughter of Captain
OTIS N. KELTON.
murder trial of the Keyser-Bailey case. Elected judge of probate of Franklin County in 1898, he re- moved to St. Albans, where he has since ably discharged the duties of that office. Judge Kelton is an esteemed member of Missisquoi Lodge, F. & A. M., and Lafayette
Clapp, a Revolutionary officer and the pioneer settler of Montgomery. This union has been blessed by four children : Eva L., wife of John B. Keith; Hallie, who is register of probate; Fanny C., wife of R. C. Martin of Boston, . Massachusetts, and Frank C. Kelton, residing at
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Tucson, Arizona, a civil and min- ing engineer in the employ of the Arizona & Eastern Railroad.
KELLEY, BARNEY F., son of Barney and Elizabeth Kelley, was born in Ireland, November 20, 1847. Six months later his parents immigrated to America, landed in New York and, reaching St. Al- bans Bay by boat, his mother died
and hard work enabled them to sur- vive the hungry days of childhood and reach manhood with a deter- mination to repay her. Living in the back woods, miles from the nearest schoolhouse, in the early days of youth the children were deprived of educational training.
The subject of this sketch worked out summers and did chores winters
BARNEY F. KELLEY.
two hours later by ship fever and was buried at once, on account of dread of the disease. A year later his father died from pneumonia, leaving homeless three children, the eldest about four and the young- est, the subject of this sketch, less than two years of age. Fortu- nate were they in having a loyal stepmother, who by heroic devotion
for his board, until at the age of 17 he entered New Hampton Insti- tute, Fairfax, where he remained three years, doing chores for his board and teaching winter terms of school.
While teaching a district school in the town of Fairfield, he ac- cepted the position of deputy sher- iff of the County of Franklin,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
March 1, 1867. Meanwhile he lived with the sheriff, A. J. Soule, in the old jail at St. Albans, until 1868, when he was appointed in- spector of customs at the port of St. Albans by General George J. Stannard, the then collector of cus- toms for the district of Vermont. In 1878 he was promoted to the position of deputy collector of cus- toms by General William Wells, which position he held for one year after the Democratic party came into power in 1885.
Believing that "to the victors belong the spoils," he tendered his resignation in December, 1885, to take effect March 1, 1886. On the following day he was elected con- stable and collector of taxes for the town of St. Albans and held that position until 1890, when he was elected sheriff for the County of Franklin, which position he still holds. Sheriff Kelley possesses in an eminent degree those qualities of mind and heart that win and re- tain the confidence and esteem of his associates; jovial and kindly in manner, helpful to those in need, he enjoys a most agreeable and ex- tensive personal acquaintance in this section and has a host of friends. He is a careful and com- petent official and the county jail is a model institution.
Deeply interested in the welfare of the community, he is an active member of the board of trade, was a member of the school board of the old town of St. Albans and its chairman for three years; also for several years connected with the fire department and was chief en- gineer for two terms.
Sheriff Kelley is an active and influential Republican. In 1872 he married Nancy McSorley, who died in 1879. He has two children,
Mrs. Lizzie M. Sullivan and George Raymond Kelley.
DAVIS, WILBUR P., son of James and Esther (Palmer) Davis, was born at St. Albans, March 7, 1832. He comes of stanch New England stock. His grandfather, Joshua Davis, was a gristmill owner and farmer at Davisville, near North Kingston, Rhode Island.
James Davis was born in 1783, a man of scholarly tastes and attain- ments, a graduate of Union Col- lege, Schenectady, New York, in 1809. A year later he came to St. Albans and studied law in the of- fice of Hon. Asa Aldis, and in 1812 was admitted to the bar. After several years' practice at North Hero, Fairfield and Swanton, in January, 1819, he formed a copart- nership with Judge Aldis and took up his permanent residence in St. Albans. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and abil- ity, was excellent counsel, but not a jury advocate.
In 1828 he was elected a dele- gate to the constitutional conven- tion and in 1830 was a member of the executive council of the state. He was elected associate judge of Franklin County in 1843 and re- elected in 1844. In 1845 he was elected judge of probate and re- elected many years, until an acci- dent and failing health caused his retirement. His latest years were passed in reading, writing and study. He was a chaste and ele- gant writer, and a man of rare modesty and integrity. He was a Federalist and later a Republican in politics.
His two sons were James P. and the subject of our sketch. Wilbur P. Davis attended St. Albans Acad- emy and graduated from the Uni
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
versity of Vermont in 1852. In- heriting the literary tastes of his father, he became editor of the Mes- senger. Later he was for several years editor and proprietor of the Woodstock Standard, and still later of the Vermont Transcript. After spending some time in the office as
tured gentleman and has a very wide and interesting personal ac- quaintance with the public men of Vermont, especially of the legal fraternity.
He has never married. He is one of the oldest members of St. Albans Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has
WILBUR P. DAVIS.
assistant county clerk, at the resig- nation of J. H. Brainard in Au- gust, 1872, he was appointed county clerk and has continued to fill that office most acceptably until the present time, a period of 34 years.
Mr. Davis is a genial and cul-
passed all of the chairs of that body. He is a Republican in poli- tics, maintains an active interest in current public affairs, both local and national, and is highly es- teemed as a man and citizen.
NUTTER, REVEREND CHARLES S., D. D., is a native of New Hamp-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
shire. He was born in Tufton- boro, a town bordering on the beautiful Lake Winnepesaukee, September 19, 1842. He was a farmer's son. His father, Jacob Nutter, was well known as one of the most reliable men, and enter- prising farmers in that region.
Scotch family. They were strong patriots, some of the men taking an active part in the Revolutionary War.
The farmer's son prepared for college at Tilton Seminary. He was graduated at Boston Univer- sity School of Theology in 1871.
REV. CHARLES S. NUTTER.
The Nutters came from England to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the latter part of the seventeenth or the first part of the eighteenth century. They were said to have been in sympathy, politically, with the Tories during the War of the Revolution. His mother, Nancy Young, was a descendant of a
This was the first class to receive the diploma of the new university, which was chartered in 1869.
After his graduation he joined the New England Southern Con- ference, and was ordained an elder by Bishop Ames at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1872. He was married in the fall of the same
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
year to Sarah L. Holt, daughter of Reuben L. Holt of Boston, Massa- chusetts.
As a pastor, he has served churches at Winthrop, Scituate, Sandwich, New Bedford and Ha- verhill, Massachusetts ; Central Falls, Rhode Island; Tilton, Con- cord and Exeter, New Hampshire, and St. Albans.
In 1899 he was appointed pre- siding elder of St. Albans district of the Vermont Conference. This district includes all of Grand Isle, Franklin and Lamoille counties, and parts of Chittenden and Wash- ington Counties. In this territory are fifty or more Methodist churches, which were under his su- perintendence for a full term of six years, with headquarters at St. Albans, where the elderage is lo- cated. Doctor Nutter is widely known, not only as a man of high moral purposes, an earnest and able preacher and a lover of his fellow-men, but as a very progres- sive man. During his presiding eldership he established a circulat- ing library for the benefit of the pastors of his district. This was a new departure of great benefit to the preachers, and indirectly to the people they serve. Under his ad- ministration a beautiful grove of 30 acres on the Missisquoi River was purchased. He was one of the original incorporators of the Camp Meeting Association, and the organizer and president of the Bi- ble-school which is held annually. This was the first institution of the kind organized in the state of Ver- mont.
Mr. Nutter has been repeatedly honored by his denomination. For two successive years he was a mem- ber of the general missionary com- mittee of his church. He re-
ceived the honorary degree of Doc- tor of Divinity from Taylor Uni- versity, Indiana, in 1895. He was chosen a member of the General Conference which met in May, 1904, at Los Angeles, California. He was also a member of the com- mission to edit and prepare a new hymnal for the use of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a book which for a genera- tion will be the official hymnal of fifteen or twenty millions of the people of this country.
Doctor Nutter has made a special study of hymnology and church music. He is the author of two books: Hymn Studies, New York, 1884, and Historic Hymnists, Bos- ton, 1893. In preparing Hymn Studies, the author labored persist- ently for five years, making many original and interesting discover- ies, which caused it to be consid- ered as a standard work upon the subject at home and abroad. It reached the fourth edition in 1900.
At present, 1906, Mr. Nutter is the pastor of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at St. Albans. This is the second time he has been the pastor of this strong church. The first was from September, 1894, to April, 1899, when he was appointed presiding elder of the district. At the close of his elder- ship in 1905, he was again ap- pointed pastor of this church. Thus for 12 successive years he has been a resident of the City of St. Albans.
MARVIN, FRANK I., son of An- drew J. and Louisa (Royce) Mar- vin, was born in Sheldon, Septem- ber 6, 1858. His educational train- ing was limited to the common schools and one term at West Charleston Academy. In the la-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
bors and cares of farm life he formed a strong physique, habits of thrift and economy and of inde- pendent thought and action. He remained on the paternal farm dur- ing his minority and for the seven years following worked out on farms, during the last four years
terested in the creamery business at West Holland. He foresaw the possibilities of the system and, in the spring of 1890, in connection with his brother, built the first creamery at Derby, operated it for five years and then sold to the Highland creamery, a cooperative
FRANK I. MARVIN.
for Mrs. Priscilla Dimon of Fair- field.
In November, 1886, he married her only daughter, Gertrude Lu- ella Dimon, and later, for three years, continued to carry on the farm.
In the fall of 1887 he became in-
institution. Subsequently he was engaged in the business of drugs and medicines two years and then sold his interest to his partner, H. H. Wilder.
In 1895 Mr. Marvin returned to the Dimon farm in Fairfield, where he remained five years, and then
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
entered the employ of the Franklin County Creamery Association in the capacity of solicitor. Since 1903 he has been superintendent, a responsible position, for which he is eminently qualified by his ex- perience both as a farmer and patron and as creamery man. Mr. Marvin is also a director and man- ager of Eureka Creamery Company of North Troy and Newport. He also owns several dairy farms in
riage three daughters were born : Laura Pearl, who died in child- hood, Hazel G. and Mildred Fran- ces, aged, respectively, six and three years. Mr. Marvin is a mem- ber of Hazwell Lodge, F. & A. M., Champlain Chapter, R. A. M., and Champlain Commandery, also a charter member of the Society of Elks.
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY CREAM- ERY ASSOCIATION. This institution
ST. ALBANS
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY CREAMERY.
this vicinity and is recognized as a capable executive manager and suc- cessful financier. He is a Demo- crat in politics.
Mrs. Marvin died in May, 1884, and December 29 following he mar- ried Laura Gertrude, daughter of William and Clara Robbins of Derby. By the first marriage was one son, Guy D., now attending St. Albans High School, and several young ladies. By the second mar-
is the parent and exemplar of its class, the largest in New England and one of the largest in the world, and for many years a potent factor in the industrial life of Franklin County. It was organized in 1890, being a consolidation of all of the small creameries in Franklin County, and a few in contiguous territory. The cream of 20,000 cows, representing 1,200 dairies, is used and during the busy season
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
about ten tons of splendid butter are produced daily. Nearly three million pounds of butter have been made in a single year. The cream- gathering system has prevailed since 1900 and since January 1, 1906, the patrons have enjoyed the benefits of the system of weekly
MOTT, HIRAM M., son of Nich- ols and Amanda M. (Chilton) Mott, was born in Alburgh, Jan- uary 4, 1853. His school attend- ance was limited to the common and select schools, but from earliest boyhood he has been an omniverous reader and devoted student.
HIRAM M. MOTT.
payments. The company also owns an immense cold storage plant with the best modern equipment for refrigeration.
The officers are: A. S. Richard- son, president; F. E. Chamber- lain, vice-president and treasurer ; George H. Claflin, manager ; Frank I. Marvin, superintendent.
In early life, after enjoying the helpful experience of teaching school several terms, he became, in 1873, editor and publisher of the Brandon Union, until 1880. He was also editor and publisher of the Champlain (New York) Coun- selor from 1883-'93, inclusive. He had previously an interest in the
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Ticonderoga Sentinel and the Lud- low Tribune.
He has taken a deep interest in the cause of education, was school commissioner in supervision of the public schools of the district of seven towns in the northern part of Clinton County, New York, from 1888 to '90, inclusive, and frequently gave addresses on the educational, agricultural and polit-
adaptability and an initiative that eminently fits him for legal prac- tice. In 1898 he was appointed referee in bankruptcy, a position which he has since acceptably filled.
Hiram M. Mott was married in 1874 to Ellen A. Towne of Stowe. Their only son, Walter T. Mott, born in 1875, is in the employ of the New York Life Insurance Com-
RESIDENCE OF HIRAM M. MOTT.
ical topics of the day. He was ad- mitted to the bar in October, 1894, and soon after became a permanent resident of St. Albans, where he has since successfully practiced his profession. He was superintend- ent of the city schools in 1894.
During his varied experience as a teacher, superintendent of schools and editor of a country newspaper, Mr. Mott has gained a knowledge of affairs and of human nature, an
pany at Syracuse, New York. The only daughter, Eva Stowell Mott, a lady of character and culture. wife of W. T. Clark, an extensive planter of Yazoo City, Mississippi, died March 22, 1905.
L'ECUYER, NELSON E. The subject of this sketch, well and fa- vorably known as the treasurer and superintendent of the St. Albans Messenger Company, was born in St. Johns, Quebec, July 17, 1861,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
the oldest of the 11 children of N. H. and Christiana (Trahan) L'Ecuyer. He was educated at St. Johns Academy and graduated at the age of 14 at the head of his class.
He entered the employ of the local superintendent of the Central Vermont Railroad at St. Johns in 1877, as an errand boy, but his promptness and efficiency was rec- ognized and rewarded by successive
NELSON E. L'ECUYER.
promotions until in March, 1890, he became chief clerk of the general freight department, where he served three years.
He then became cashier and bookkeeper of the St. Albans Mes- senger Company, January 1, 1896, was made treasurer and, eight years later, the office of superin- tendent was added. The mechan- ical department of the Messenger
is an important business enterprise with one of the most extensive plants in the state and Mr. L'Ec- uyer has entire charge of all de- partments, except the editorial.
In politics a zealous Republican, he has served as village trustee be- fore the city incorporation and has been an officer in several Republi- can local organizations.
A man of his ability and social tendencies is naturally active and influential in fraternal organiza- tions. Mr. L'Ecuyer was a char- ter member and, since its organiza- tion in 1894, treasurer of the Cath- olic Order of Foresters. He also affiliates with the Modern Wood- men of America and the St. John Baptist Society of America.
May 1, 1883, he was married to Azelie, daughter of Pierre Lang- lois and Florena (Richard) Lang- lois, and they are the parents of 11 interesting children, all living : George Emery, a theological stu- dent in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, Marie Beatrice Emma, Thomas Henry, Marie Rose An- nette, Marguerite-Marie Adrienne, Armand, Hervé, Leo Eugène, Lo- rette Georgine, Reine Marie The- rese, Fernande Leona.
STEVENS, DOCTOR WILLIAM STANFORD, son of Doctor Calvin and Sophia (Tappan) (Crocker) Stevens, was born in Boston, June 13, 1859. During the first decade of the century his grandfather, Sam- uel Stevens, came from southern Vermont and hewed out a farm from the primeval wilderness in the town of Enosburg.
Calvin Stevens was born in 1816 and was reared here, and later was for half a century a successful phy- sician in Boston.
William Stanford Stevens grad- uated from the Boston Latin School
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
in 1876 and from Harvard College in 1880, in the same class with President Roosevelt. Three years later he received the degree of M. D. at the Harvard Medical School and in 1884 his alma mater con- ferred on him the degree of A. M.
Doctor Stevens was elected a member of the Boston common council in 1887 and served two years under Mayor Hart. In 1891
sachusetts Emergency and Hygiene Association. He was correspond- ing secretary of the New England Historic Genealogical Society in 1893 and 1894. From 1900 to 1903 he devoted himself as super- intendent to building up and put- ting on a satisfactory basis the St. Albans hospital.
Doctor Stevens married, Decem- ber 1, 1895, Emily Huntington,
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM S. STEVENS, M. D.
he was one of Boston's representa- tives in the General Court of Mas- sachusetts.
He gave up the practice of medi- cine in 1887 and devoted his time largely to the charitable and benefi- cent organizations. He was five years treasurer and three years president of the Mercantile Library Association of Boston, and also con- nected as organizer with the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Mas-
daughter of Silas H. and Harriet (Safford) Lewis of St. Albans, and has since resided in this city. Their home, "Ingleside," on Smith Street, is an ideal one, with expan- sive lawns and groves, and com- mands a beautiful view of Lake Champlain. Three children have been born to them. William Stan- ford, Jr., was born October 21, 1896, and died October 31; Stan- ford Huntington was born October
A-23
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
5, 1897, and Philip Greeley, Au- gust 16, 1902.
The splendid ancestral farm, located on the tops of the highest hills of Enosburg, nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, has remained con- tinuously in the ownership and possession of three generations of the Stevens family; they have added from time to time "the land on the other side of the fence," until now the farm, originally 280 acres, consists of 900 acres, 200 acres of meadows, about four hun- dred of open pastures, and the rest either sugar orchards or dense for- ests. More than three hundred tons of hay are annually stored in the capacious barns, 1,000 bushels of oats, 250 bushels of corn, besides filling the silos with ensilage and 400 bushels of potatoes are raised. A fine dairy of 100 cows is sup- ported and an extensive flock of Shropshire sheep. The stock con- sists of thoroughbred and high grade Jerseys and Ayrshires. Maple sugar is one of the principal prod- ucts of "Maple Grange," hence its name. Doctor Stevens taps 7,000 trees, which are set up with the best modern equipment, the sap boiled in two immense evaporators in one house and rendered largely as syrup, which is put up in gallon cans and goes to private customers.
During the past 12 years Doctor Stevens has torn down all of the old buildings, except his grand- father's house, which is surrounded by a broad verandah, and replaced them by modern, convenient struc- tures. The buildings command a magnificent panorama of lake and mountain scenery within a radius of 75 miles, including Mount Mans- field, the Adirondacks, Lake Cham- plain and Montreal mountain. The farm is conducted on business prin-
ciples as a property investment, not as a fad of fancy farming.
When Doctor Stevens first took possession of Maple Grange he was confronted with the fact that the farm was located eight miles from the nearest station and he at once resolved to introduce the telephone, which he successfully accomplished with characteristic energy and per- sistence. This incident eventuated in the establishment of rural lines, Doctor Stevens being the pioneer, and he is the president of the Northern Telephone Company and the Central Telephone Company, most valuable factors in rural life.
He is a Knight Templar Mason. Doctor Stevens takes a loyal inter- est in his adopted town and has served as a member of the council.
GREENE, HON. SELDEN C., son of Orrin and Phœbe (Clarke) Greene, was born at St. Albans, July 25, 1844. Mr. Greene is a lifelong resident of St. Albans, a descendant of one of the earliest and most prominent families and in the best sense a representative citizen of his town and state.
Two brothers, Nathan and Job Greene, were early settlers here. Job, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, cleared up a farm from the primeval forest on what is now South Main Street, and which is now occupied by his grandson, W. H. H. Greene. Job Greene married Freelove Potter and they were parents of four sons and three daughters. Orrin, one of the sons, remained on the pater- nal farm, married Phœbe Clarke and reared a family of 11 chil- dren, all but one of whom are now living. He was a soldier of the War of 1812.
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